Item name:
Wellbutrin (bupropion) (GlaxoSmithKline)
Generic name:
bupropion hydrochloride
Brand names:
Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban SR
Item info:
Bupropion is an antidepressant medication. Bupropion is used to treat a condition called major depressive disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing withdrawal effects.
Drug class:
WELLBUTRIN (bupropion hydrochloride), an antidepressant of the aminoketone class, is chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, selective seroton...
Interactions:
Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
There are many other drugs that can affect bupropion. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Side effects:
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using bupropion and call your doctor at once if you have a seizure or fast, uneven heartbeats.
Continue taking bupropion and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Prescription needed / OTC:
Prescription only
Dosage:
Take bupropion exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
Bupropion can be taken with or without food. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet (such as Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL and Zyban SR). Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
If you take Zyban to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine. Set a date to quit smoking during the second week of Zyban treatment. By that time you will have enough of the medicine in your blood stream to help you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble quitting after you have used Zyban for at least 7 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe nicotine patches or gum to help support your smoking cessation treatment. Be sure you read all directions and safety information for the nicotine product. Using nicotine with Zyban may raise your blood pressure and your doctor may want to check your blood pressure regularly. Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.
Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. If you use the bupropion extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.
Contraindications:
Before taking bupropion, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or severe liver disease (especially cirrhosis). Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
You should not take bupropion if you:
Bupropion may cause seizures, especially if you have any of the following conditions:
FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Bupropion passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take bupropion without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Storage:
Store bupropion at room temperature away from moisture and heat.